Gas Company Wants To End A Key Consumer Protection

Dominion East Ohio Gas is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to allow it to become the first utility in the state to end regulated pricing for customers, meaning a key consumer protection would be removed.

The move would end a system where gas marketers compete in an auction to offer the lowest price for customers who receive the regulated service. If the plan to eliminate "default service" for natural gas is approved, the state would no longer oversee a process designed to help assure low prices for customers. A group that represents low-income customers says it opposes the plan.